Pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems



PRESSURE OPERATED RESTRAINING DEVICE FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS Filed June 4, 1945 .Nov- 1944- H. B. QUARFOOT ETAL ,8

j g- 25 2 69 W Patented Nov. 28, 1944 PRESSURE. OPERATED RESTRAINING DE- VICE FOB FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYS- TEMS Harry B. Quarfoot, Chicago, and Henry Robert Harper, Evanston, Ill., 'assignors, by mesne asi signments, to Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of the United States Application Junexl, 1943, Serial No. 489,668 17 Claims. (01. 169-11) This invention relates to pressure operated restraining devices for use in connection with fire extinguishing systems.

One particular use for a device constructed in accordance with the invention is in connection with fire extinguishing systems of the type in which carbon dioxide, employed as theextinguishing medium, is not normally contained in the distributing pipe, or pipes, butis supplied thereto for delivery to a fire only when a fire occurs. Such systems may be employed for the protection of rooms or other enclosures having closure-controlled openings suchas doors, windows, and the like, which may be open normally, or at given times, but which should be closed in the event of the outbreak of a fire to confine therein the carbon dioxide vapors so that afire extinguishing atmosphere may be created and maintained. Accordingly, any'given closure may be subjected to any suitable force tending constantly to close the same, and a device constructed in accordance with the invention may be connected to a pipe of the system and with the closure so that it may hold the closure open as long as carbon dioxide is not supplied to the pipe and so that upon supply of carbon dioxide to the pipe the device is actuated to release the closure to permit the same to close. Alternatively, a device constructed andoperating in accordance with the invention may in some instances be employed to hold a closure, or the like, normally closed and to release the closure for opening movement upon supply of carbon dioxide to the pipe with which the device is associated.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a pressure operated restraining device which willnormally function to hold a closure member in an open position, or in a closed position, and which will be actuated by the pressure of the fluid admitted to certainpiping of a fire extinguishing system, or the like, to release the closure member so that it may be closed or opened, as the case may be, by another force relied upon to accomplish this latter result.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a pressure operated restraining i device of the above mentioned type which may be directly connected to a pipe of a fluid distrib uting system so that the device will be operated automatically by the pressure of the fluid when the latter is turned into the said pipe of the system, and which will function to prevent escape of the fluid from the pipe after the device has been operated.

With the foregoing and other objects in View,

whichwill become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in a pressure operated restraining device embodying the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described,'illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and defined in the appended claims. i

In the accompanying drawing, wherein like characters of 1 reference denote corresponding parts in related views, I

. Figurel is alongitudinal sectional view through a device constructed in accordance with the invention, i

Figure 2 is an end view of the device, I Figure 3 is a cross sectionon the lined-+3 of Fi 1, i l i %igure 4 is a plan view showing an adaptation of the device to a particular use; and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the structure shown in Fig. 4. 1 i l Referring to the drawing in detail, l0 designates in Fig. 1 a pipe or conduit which normally does not. contain a fire extinguishing fluid under pressure, but which is intended to be supplied with such fluid only when a fire is to be extinguished. Various systems employing different types of fire extinguishing materials include such pipes or conduits and the device constituting the subject matter of the present invention may be used in connection with any such systems for any one of a number of different purposes. Accordingly, while the invention will be described as embodied in a fire extinguishing system employing carbon dioxide as the extinguishing medium,

I it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example for convenience in explaining the in,- vention and is not to be construed in any way as limiting its scope or its field of use.

In a fire extinguishing system employing carbon dioxide as the fire extinguishing medium, the carbon dioxide may be stored in a tank'orin a bank of cylinders, and a distribution system, including the pipe 10, will extend from the tank to enclosures such as rooms where discharge nozzles are provided. Since the carbon dioxide is nor mally confined. in a tank, or in cylinders, and is not delivered to its distributing pipes, including the pipe l0, until a fire occurs, said pipes .normally are not under pressure. In the event,

however, of the outbreak of a fire in any given.

enclosure, a valve controlling the related distrib uting pipe I [I is opened for flow of carbon dioxide from the tank through said pipe to the enclosure The doors, windows or the like may be constructed and arranged to be closed by gravity, by springs or in an other suitable manner so that unless they are held open they will automatically assume their closed positions. A device constructed and operating in accordance with the present invention may be employed to hold the doors, windows, or the like, open as long as the pipe I0 is not under pressure, and may be relied upon to release the doors or windows to permit them to close whenever said pipe is supplied with the pressure fluid.

In accordance with the practical embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the present pressure operated restraining device comprises a short section of pipe II which is connected at one end to the pipe III in any suitable manner, as by means of a T-fitting I2, so that it is in constant communication therewith, and at its other end is partially closed by a suitable wall I3 such, for example, as the end wall of a element I6 having extending laterally from its outer end an arm I! to which is suitably fastened one endof a cable, rod, link, or the like, I8, the other end of which is designed to be operatively connected with a door, window or the like to 1 hold the same open as long as the plug element It remains in the opening I5. By inspecting Fig. 1, it will be seen that the arm I! is so shaped that its outer apertured end I'Ia lies in a horizontal plane that is indicated by the dotted line at. This horizontal planeintersects the plug I6 at a point which is intermediate the opposite ends of the opening IS in which the plug is fitted. It will be apparent, therefore, that the line of pull, or force, delivered to the plug I6 by the cable, or the like, I8 through the arm'II will cause the plug to bind against the side wall of the opening I5, As the door, window, or the like that is connected to the outer end of the cable I8 exerts a substantial force through the cable, it will require a substantial force to dislodge the plug I6 from the opening I5. Once the plug I6 is dislodged from the opening I5, the door, window, or the closure member, will be permitted to move to its desired closed position in response to the force which is relied upon to bring about this movement of the closure member.

To bring about dislodgement of the plug I6.

ameter of the opening I5 formed in the cap wall I3. When the combined plug and valve member I9 is forced outwardly by the admission of the pressure fluid to the pipe section II, the stem 2I will engage the plug element I6 and will eject it from the opening I5. I I i To prevent leakage of the fire extinguishing fluid through the cap opening I5, after the plug element It has been ejected therefrom, the combined plug and valve member I9 is formed with a tapered valve seat I9a which will be forced into engagement with the edge of the inner end of the opening I5. Therefore, as long as the fire extinguishing fluid in the pipe section II is exerting its pressure against the combined plug and valve member I9, the tapered valve seat ISia will seal the opening I5 against the escape of the extinguishing fluid. After the feed of the extinguishing fluid to the distributing pipe III has been stopped and the fluid has been exhausted from the pipe II) and the short section I I, the combined plug and valve member I9 will be permitted to return to its seat or rest 20 so'that the stem 2| will be withdrawn from the cap opening I5; The door, window, or other closure member connected to the cable, or the like, I'8 may then be moved to its normal position and the plug element I6 may be reinserted in the cap opening I5.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a specific use for the pressure operated restraining device that has been described in detail in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. This specific use is in connection with a carbon dioxide vapor pressure relief opening for an enclosed space which is to be flooded with vapor to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere. To be more specific, large electric motors, generators and alternators frequently are enclosed in housings for the purpose of permitting air to be circulated through the housings to cool such electrical devices. These enclosing housings are usually made of sheet metal and must normally be maintained air tight to prevent leakage of the cooling air.

When a fire starts in one of these large electrical devices, extinguishment of the same is usually accomplished. by stopping the flow of cooling air through the housing, by closing shutters or valves in the inlet and outlet ducts leading to'and 'from the housing respectively and then flooding the housing with carbon dioxide vapor to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere. This atmosphere must be maintained for a substantial -length of time to prevent reignition durin the period when the rotor is coming to a stop and the fire ex tinguishing atmosphere during. the entire period must be maintained at a relatively high concentration of carbon dioxide vapor. The feeding of carbon dioxide vapor to the enclosing housing must necessarily build up a pressure therein and this pressure can become so great that it will burst the sheet metal walls of the housing if means are not provided to prevent the building up of an excess pressure.

It is the present practice to provide such enclosing housings with vent openings which are normally closed to prevent loss of the cooling air that is circulated through the housings. These vent openings are normally provided with closure devices that include a paper membraneor diaphragm which seals against the loss of the cooling air. These paper membranes or diaphragms, however, are ruptured when an excessive vapor pressure is built up in their enclosing housings. This paper membrane or diaphragm form of closure has not provide to be entirely satisfactory because it i impossible to predict the pressures at which different paper membranes or diaphragms will rupture andthe extent to which the paper membranes or diaphragms will be frac- V tured or torn away when they do rupture.

Figs. 4 and 5 disclose a new type of vent opening 6 structure for electrical housings, or the like.

equipment enclosing The top wall of such a sheet metal housing is generally designated by the reference character 2|. A conventional pipe 23 which is formed in the top 2| of the said housing. The opening 23 and the pipe flange 22 may be of any desired size to allow for proper venting of the housing that is provided with this vent opening structure. The pipe flange 22 is retained in place by means i of the bolts 24 which pass throughthe reinforcing ring 25 located interiorly flange 22 is applied tothe margin of the opening of the housing. A suitable length of piping 26 is threadedor otherwise suitably connected, to the pipe coupling 22. Mounting brackets 21 are fastened to one side of the outer end portion of this pipe section 26 to receive the hinge pin 28. A cover or cap 29 is hingedly connected to the brackets ZTby the pin 28. A sealing gasket 30 is provided between the outer edge of the pipe section 25 and the inner face of the cover 29.

The marginal portionof the cover 29, located opthe cover must be created within the housing 2| before the cover isunseated. It will be appreciated, therefore, that from the time the carbon dioxide vapor is turned into the enclosing housing until the fire is extinguished, the cover 29will function as a check valve to prevent excessive vapor pressure from building up in the enclosing housing 2|. After the fire has been extinguished rangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, \ve claini: 1. A pressure operated restraining devic for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a pipe sec tion to be supplied with a fluid under pressure,

posite the hinge mounting for the cover, is provided with a leaf spring 3| that is connected at its outer end to a link 32. i a

In applying the pressure operated restraining restraining device may be passed through the pipe section 26 of the vent closure structure so that its device of Figs. lto 3 inclusive to this vent .clo-

sure structure, the pipe section II of the said end cap 14 will be located exteriorly of the pipe section 25 and in alignment with the leaf spring 3|. The plug element l6 will be mounted in the aperture of the cap i4 and will have its lateral arm I! connected to the leaf spring 3| by the link 32. The combining plug and valve member I9 will be located within the capped end portion of the pipe section II and will be retained in operative relation to the apertured cap I 4 by the transverse pin 26.

Figs. 4 and 5 disclose this vent closure structure in its normal condition; i, e., when the cover 29 is held in sealed engagement with the outer end of the pipe section 25 to prevent the escape of the cooling air that is normally circulated through the. enclosing housing 2|. This cover 29 is heldtightly against the outer end of the pipe section 26 by the tension of the leaf spring 3|. This spring is tensioned by placing the plug element 6 of the arm I! in the aperture |5 of the cap M. The tension of the spring 3| also loads the plug element It so that it will be retained in the aperture l5.

When a fire occurs within the enclosing housing 2| and the carbon dioxideextinguishing medium is delivered to the housing to create the desired extinguishing atmosphere, carbon dioxide is delivered to the pipe section H. The pressure of this carbon dioxide actsupon the combined plug and valve member I!) to cause this member to eject the plug element I6 from thecap aperture l5. Displacementof theplug element l6 releases.

a partof said pipe section having an opening therein, means including a plugelernent to be disposed in said opening to perform a restraining function, said plug element being designed to be ejected from said opening to release said restraining means when fluid under pressure is supplied to said pipe section, and means operable by fluid supplied to said pipe section to eject said plug element and close said opening against escape of fluid from said conduit when said plug element is ejected therefrom.

2. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a pipe section to be supplied with a fluid under pressure, apart of said pipe section having an opening therein, means including a plug element to be disposed in said opening to perform a restraining function, said plug element being designed to be ejected from said opening to release said restraining means when fluid under pressure is supplied the cover 29 so that this cove-r may be moved 7 away from its seat on the outer end of the pipe section 25 whenever sufiicient vapor pressure is created within the housing 2| to overcome the weight of the cover. Suitable spring means, not shown, may be associated with the hinge structure for the cover 29 to load the cover so that a vapor pressure greater than that required to lift to said pipe section, and a combined plu and valve within said pipe section operable by fluid supplied to said pipe section to eject said plug element and close said opening against escape of fluid from said conduit when said plug element is ejected therefrom.

3. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishingsystems, comprising a pipe sectionto b supplied with a fluid under pressure,

function, and. a combined plug and valve within said pipe section operable by fluid under pressure supplied to said pipe section to eject saidplug element from said opening to release saidrestraining means and to close said opening against escape of fluid therethrough from said conduit.

4. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a pipe section to be supplied with a fluid under pressure, a part of said pipe section having an opening therein, means including a plug element to be disposed in said openingto perform a restraining function, and a combined valve and plug Within said pipe section to be moved longitudinally thereof by fluid under :pressure supplied thereto to eject said plug element from said openingto release said restraining means and to close said openingagainst escape of fluid therethrough. from said,

pipe section, said combined valve and plug having a stem for engagement with the inner end of said plug element to positivelyeject' the same from said opening when said combined valve and plug is moved longitudinally of said pipe section by the fluid. v

5. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a pipe section to'be supplied with a fluid under pressure, a part of said pipe section having, an opening therein, means including a plug element tobe disposed in said opening to perform a restraining function, and means to eject said plug element from said opening to release said restraining means and simultaneously to close said opening against the escape of fluid therethrough from said pipe section by fluid under pressure supplied to said pipe section.

6. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a pipe section to be supplied with a fluid under pressure, a

part of said pipe section having an opening therein, means including a plug element to be disposed in said opening to perform a restraining function, mean whereby fluid under pressure supplied to said pipe section acts to eject the plug element from said opening to release said restrainin means, and means operable by the fluid to close said opening against escape of fluid therethrough from saidpipe section when said plug element is ejected therefrom. I

7. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a hollow member in open communication with a distributing pipe line that is adapted to have a fire extinguishing medium delivered thereto under pressure, said member having an openingformed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening and having an arm connected with an object to be restrained against movement, said arm being so shaped as to cause the force exerted through it while restraining said object to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bind and hold the latter in its opening, and means located in the hollow member to eject the plug element from its opening, for releasing the restrained object, when the extinguishing medium enters the hollow member.

8. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a hollow member in open communication with a distributing pipe line that is adapted to have a fire extinguishing medium delivered thereto under pressure, said member having an opening formed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening and having an arm connected with an, object to be restrained against movement, said arm being so shaped as to cause the force exerted through it while restraining saidobject to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bind and hold the latter in its openin and means located in the hollow member to eject the plug element from its opening, for releasing the restrained object when the extinguishing me'dium enters the hollow member and to close the opening in the hollow member to. prevent escape of the extinguishing medium.

9. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a hollow member in open communication with a distributing pipe line that is adapted to have a fire extinguishing medium delivered thereto under pressure, said member having an opening formed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening and having an arm connected with an object to be restrained against movement, said arm being so shaped as to cause the force exerted through it while restraining said object to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bind and hold the latter in its opening, and a combined plug and valve located inthe hollow member and adapted to be actuated by the extinguishing medium delivered ,to the hollow member to eject the plug element from its opening and to then close the opening against the lossof extinguishing strain said closure against movement, said arm being so shaped as to cause theforce exerted through it while restraining said closure to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bind and hold the latter in its opening, and means operated by the pressure of the extinguishing medium delivered to the hollow member to eject the plug element from its opening for releasing the closure.

11. A pressure operated restrainin device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising means forming an opening for venting excess vapor pressure from an enclosed space in which a fire ex tinguishing atmosphere has been created, a displaceable closure .for said opening, a hollow member in open communication with the pipe line employed to deliver the fire extinguishing me- :dium to the enclosed space, said member having an opening formed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in' said opening and having an arm connected with the closure to restrain the latter against movement, said arm being so shaped as to cause the force exerted through it while restraining said closure to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bind and hold the latter in its opening, and means located in the hollow member to eject the plug element from its opening, for releasing the closure, when the fire extinguishing medium enters the hollow member and to close the opening in the hollow member to prevent escape of the fire extinguishing medium. i

12. A :pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising means forming an opening for venting excess vapor pres sure from an enclosed space in which a fire extinguishing atmosphere has been created, a displaceable closure for said opening, a hollow member in open communication with the pipe line employed to deliver the fire extinguishing me-. dium to the enclosed space, said member having an opening formed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening and having an arm connected with the closure to restrain the latter against movement, spring means interposed in the connection between the arm and the closure, I

a combined plug and valve :device located in the hollow member .and adapted to be actuated by the extinguishing medium delivered to the hollow member to eject the plugelement from its opening andto then close the opening against the,

loss of the extinguishing medium j 13. A pressure operated restraining devicefor,

fire extinguishing systems, comprising means forming an opening for venting excess vaporpres- 1 sure from an enclosed space in which a fire extinguishing atmospherehas been created, adisplaceable closure for said; opening, a hollow member in open communication with the pipe line employed to deliver the fire extinguishingfmedium to the enclosed space, said member having an opening formed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening andconnected with the displaceable closure to restrain said closure 1 againstmovement, said plug being designed to beejected from said opening to release said closure, and means operated by the fire extinguish;

ing medium supplied to the hollow member from saidpipe line to eject said plug element and to close said opening against escape of the fire exextinguishing atmosphere has been created, a

displaceable closure for said opening a hollow member in open communication with the pipe line employed to deliver the fire extinguishing medium to the enclosed space, said member having anopening formed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening and connected with the displaceable closure to restrain said closure against movement, said plug being de-, i signed to be ejected from said opening to release said closure,' and a combined plug and valve within the hollow member operated by thefire extinguishing medium supplied to the hollow member from said pipe line to eject said plug element and to close said opening against escape of the fire extinguishing medium from the hollow member when said plug element is ejected. 15. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising means forming an opening for venting excess vapor 1 pressure from an enclosed space in which a fire extinguishing atmosphere has been created, a displaceable closure for said opening, a hollow memher in open communication with the pipe line employed to deliver the fire extinguishing me- ,dium to the enclosed space, said member having an opening iormed in a wall thereof, a plug element disposed in said opening and connected with the displaceable closure to, restrain said closure against movement, said plug being designedto be ejected from said opening to release said closure, and a combined plug and valve within the hollow member to be moved longitudinally of the latter by the fire extinguishing medium supplied to the hollow memberfrom said pipe line to eject the plug element and to close said openin against escapeoi the fire extin-' guishing medium from the hollowmember when said plugelement is ejected, said combined valve and plug having a stem for engagement with the inner end of said plug element to positively eject i t l the latter from its opening when said combined longitudinally of the valve and plugis moved hollow member.

16. A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising apipe section to be supplied with fluid under pressure, a

part of said pipe section having an opening therein, a plug element disposed in said opening and having an exterior arm adapted tobe conneeted with'a device to be restrained, said arm being so shaped as to cause the force exerted through it while performing its restraining operation to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bind and hold the latter inits opening, a d means operated by the pressure of the fluid delivered to the pipe section to eject the plug element from its opening to release the device being restrained. l

17; A pressure operated restraining device for fire extinguishing systems, comprising a pipe section to be supplied with fluid under pressure, a part of said pipe section .having an opening therein, a plug elementdisposed in saidopening and having an exteriorly positioned arm adapted to be, connected with a device tobe restrained, 1 said armbe'ing s0 shaped as to cause the force exerted through it while'performing its restraining operation to be applied to the plug element in a manner to bindand hold the latter in its opening, and means operated by the pressure of the fluid delivered to the pipe section to eject the plug element'from its opening torelease the device being restrained and to close the opening in the pipe section to prevent escape of the fluid.

HARRY B, QUARFOO'I. HENRY ROBERT HARPER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. i Patent No. 2,565,802. November 2 19th,

HARRY B. QUARFOOT, ET'AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 75, for "provide" read -proved-; page 5 first column, line I42, for "combining" read -combined; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of June, A. D. 1915.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

